FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to remove the probationary status on Deputy Kevin Hartley of Anson and move him to a higher pay grade level.

Hartley completed the six-month probation on Jan. 2, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said.

He has done an “excellent job” for the department, he said.

Nichols recommended that Hartley’s hourly wage go from $13.64 an hour to $17.65, based on his experience. The pay level is the maximum he can go as a new employee, Nichols said.

Prior to being hired in July 2013, Hartley was an officer with the Madison Police Department, where he worked for nine years.

In other business, commissioners elected Fred Hardy of New Sharon to be the chairman. Hardy was sick and not able to attend the meeting, clerk Julie Magoon said.

Commissioners rotate the chairmanship each year.

Commissioner Clyde Barker of Strong, who was last year’s chairman, ran the meeting.

They also voted to hear property tax abatement appeals from Richard Nadeau of Stratton and Samlab Enterprises LLC in Avon at the next meeting on Feb. 4.

dperry@sunjournal.com